in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, led approaching last, kept on well flat
led, headed 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
hit 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
held up, hit 3rd, reminders soon after and after next, lost place from 6th
held up, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and under pressure from 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace flat
always in rear, well behind from 6th
A good novice chase here with a fair standard set by the four-year-old Vol Solitaire. Paul Nicholls' charge has only met with defeat once since his attentions have been switched to chasing, that was when he failed to complete behind the high class Impek at Hereford. He gets the TEAMtalk vote to see off the progressive Claymore, who beat two more than useful rivals in the shape of First Love and Trading Troubles at Uttoxeter. That was only his second outing over fences, so he is open to any amount of improvement and will be a tough nut to crack. Magnus has the unenviable tag of being an expensive flop, so far, but he did shape with promise behind Vol Solitaire's stablemate Joly Bey at Newton Abbot. He looked as though he found the trip beyond him that day and will be much happier over this 2 miles.
